Foods made in a homebased kitchen are commonly referred to as “cottage foods” and have, in recent years, become a popular way for enterprising cooks to supplement their income or test out a food business without the risks of opening a brick-andmortar store.
Before 2019, cottage foods could only be sold at farmers markets in Nebraska, but legislation passed that year allowed for producers to sell shelf-stable products like breads, cookies, and jams from their home, at community events, or online.
Last year, lawmakers passed additional legislation expanding the previous law to include foods such as cheesecake, buttercream frosting, sauces and salsa, and refrigerated pickles. This is a win for entrepreneurs in rural communities, where commercial kitchen rental space is limited and cottage food sales support local economies and provide additional food options.
